Derbyshire coach Karl Krikken said his team were no longer being “bullied”
after they secured a second surprise victory in succession to move out of
the relegation zone.

Derbyshire had not won all season until giving a bloody nose to two title-chasers, Sussex and now Middlesex.

Middlesex had been set a 297 victory target but Derbyshire’s bowlers destroyed their middle order to leave them on 121 for seven, meaning there was no way back despite a late fightback. With matches coming up against relegation rivals Surrey and Somerset, this was a timely win.

“At the start of the year, we got bullied a lot by big names and attitudes,” Krikken said. “We took the analogy, ‘if they throw one punch, we’ll throw two’. That’s what we’re going to try to do.

“It’s good to have the underdogs tag because we are not meant to win, when you look at other sides compared to our side. And sometimes that can get under people’s fingernails.”

Krikken had strong words in the dressing room after their innings defeat against Yorkshire and made three changes to the side. That has been followed by their two recent triumphs.

Looking ahead to facing Surrey and Somerset, he added: “The next two will be massive. Momentum is with us.”

Middlesex had an outside chance of victory at the start of the day, but things quickly went wrong. The first major blow in their run chase came when opener Sam Robson’s disappointing recent form – since his qualification for England – continued and he was bowled by Tim Groenewald for 29.

Middlesex’s middle order has looked too brittle this season and they struggled here with the pressure on. Eoin Morgan failed to deliver again when he dragged on a wider Mark Footitt ball and was out for nine. Footitt quickly struck another blow, impressively bowling Neil Dexter for two.

The last hope for the visitors was Adam Voges, who was playing well in his final appearance before he is replaced by returning Australia batsman Chris Rogers, who is expected to retake the championship captaincy. Voges reached 48 but Peter Burgoyne tempted him to push to slip.

Middlesex finally showed some fight when Gareth Berg (71) and Ollie Rayner (46 not out) put on an 85-run partnership, but the damage had already been done.

Middlesex captain Dexter believes his side are not out of the title race, though. “Our run-in for the last four games is a lot better than others’.”

Derbyshire, meanwhile, have been penalised two points for the 2014 season because of their “poor” pitch at Derby for the YB40 match against Durham last week.